Easter parade and spring events in St. Augustine

Easter is next month — with the annual St. Augustine Easter Parade set for 3 p.m. March 31 along the historic streets of the Ancient City.

Spring is my favorite time of year — near-perfect weather, festivals every weekend, and annual events that carry on traditions of early St. Augustians.

The Easter Festival committee recently held knighting ceremonies in downtown St. Augustine, recognizing Herbie Wiles and Karen Harvey for their contributions to the community.

Upcoming Easter Festival events, all free to the public:

March 24: The Royal Trio and Entourage will participate in Palm Sunday rites and the Blessing of the Fleet, which follows 11 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine.

March 31: Easter Parade starts at 3 p.m. March 31 after the 12:30 p.m. promenade in the Plaza de la Constitution.

April 14: The traditional Fromajardis Serenade will be held at 1:30 p.m. in the Cathedral Courtyard. Festivities conclude at 2:30 p.m. in the courtyard, when the Royal Family Tea follows the Fromajardis Serenade.

Other spring events and festivals:

Sea Your History weekend

Feb. 22-23: The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum will host a Sea Your History Weekend on February 22-23. The weekend will focus on “Connecting to Our Shared History — Genealogy, DNA Sampling in the Oldest City.” On Feb. 22 from 3 to 6 p.m., a Lost Ships Tour will feature helping the Lighthouse archaeologists to unlock the secrets of long-lost shipwrecks. On Feb. 23, a Traditional Wooden Boatbuilding will begin at 9 a.m. Guests can be more than visitors when helping artisans build a boat from centuries gone by. At 11 a.m. Feb. 16, a Smithsonian presentation will allow participants to get to know the personalities who make the Smithsonian the world’s leader in research and exploration as they explore a fascinating look into genealogy and DNA sampling. For tickets, go to www.staugustinelighthouse.org/events/sea-your-history.

Cathedral Festival

Feb. 22-24: The 28th Annual Cathedral Festival will be held in February this year. Last year’s event was held in April, but it will be back on the grounds of the Mission of Nombre de Dios Feb. 22 through Feb. 24. The 2010 event was in February as well. A fireworks show will light up the sky at 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 over the water near the grounds. A midway will feature dozens of thrill rides. Other activities include live music, bingo, kids’ games, a treasure sale and more. The food will include fair favorites, wine and beer, and the annual shrimp dinner on Sunday, Feb. 24. A silent auction will begin at noon Sunday, Feb. 24, featuring gift baskets, gift certificates, vacation packages, sports memorabilia, art, jewelry and other items from area businesses and the community. Go to thecathedralfestival.com.

Seafood Festival

March 1-3: St. Augustine Seafood Festival is sponsored by the St. Augustine Lions Club, hosted each year at Francis Field, 29 W. Castillo Drive. This year’s event will feature headliner The Kickin Grass Band, performing Americana music. Seafood, arts and crafts, a kids zone, and live music also will be featured. Go towww.lionsfestival.com for more details.

Sea Your History Weekend: Oh My Stars!

March 1-2: Mariners navigating their ships by using the location of celestial bodies is the theme of a weekend presentation at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum, 81 Lighthouse Ave. From 3 to 6 p.m. March 1, visitors can help Lighthouse archaeologists unlock the secrets of long-lost shipwrecks. At 9 a.m. March 2, visitors can meet and work with traditional wooden boatbuilding as they build a boat from centuries gone by. At 11 a.m. March 2, a Smithsonian presentation will give visitors an opportunity to meet some of the people who make the Smithsonian the world’s leader in research and exploration. Cost is $25 for a weekend value pack which includes all three events and two days at the Lighthouse. Go to www.staugustinelighhouse.org or call 904-829-0745.

Lighthouse Night Fest and 5K

March 2: A new event will begin at 5 p.m. on the St. Augustine Lighthouse grounds called Night Fest, featuring a cookoff between 10 local restaurants, food, drinks, entertainments and a shipyard play area for children. The 21st annual Lighthouse 5K and Fun Run will begin at 4:30 p.m. in front of the Lighthouse. The 5K is a flat and fast course through historic Lighthouse park and Davis Shores. The fun run will begin at 5:30 p.m.; with prizes to the winters. Race proceeds will benefit the Junior Service League’s service projects including the Children’s Museum of St. Johns, Willich Kids Bridge Family Visitation Center and St. Augustine Youth Services. To register for the race, go to www.lighthouse5krun.com.

Searle’s Sack of St. Augustine

March 2: An authentic re-enactment of Captain Robert Searle’s 1668 attack on St. Augustine will take place at 5 p.m. in the Plaza de la Constitucion and continue down Saint George Street and to the City Gates. During the day, the Raiders will have an encampment set up from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fountain of Youth Archeological Park, 11 Magnolia Ave. Admission at the Fountain is free for St. Johns County residents; regular admission fees apply for others. The raid in the evening is free. Call904-534-6168 or go to www.Searlesbucs.com.

Hot Foods and Spicy Blues Festival

March 3: Headliner “The Sauce Boss” Bill Wharton will be on stage from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Florida Agricultural Museum, 7900 Old Kings Road North, in Palm Coast. The third annual event will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature an international fair of spicy foods from area restaurants and retailers. To cool the palate, cold beer and a variety of microbrews also will be available. Guests are asked canned goods to benefit Feed Flagler. The show will open from noon to 1:30 p.m. with Linda Cole whose unique blend of blues and jazz was shaped by some of the artists she has performed with including the Count Basie Orchestra, Spyro Gryra and Chuck Mangione. The Sauce Boss will cooks his famous gumbo on stage while performing his spicy original music, Florida Slide Guitar Blues. At the end of the show, everybody can tast the gumbo. Admission is $5 per person. Email info@myagmuseum or call 386-446-7630.

4-H Youth Expo

March 9: The St. Johns 4-H Youth Development Program will host a 4-H Youth Expo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 9 at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds in Elkton, off State Road 207. The event will feature presentations, demonstrations and hands-on activities that will be informative and fun for youth and adults alike. 4-H Clubs and community organizations such as the Division of Forestry, GTMNERR, and the Florida Agriculture Museum will host a variety of hands on learning stations. Free bike helmets (while supplies last) will be fitted and given out to youth attendees through the efforts of St. Johns County 4-H volunteers and the Florida Traffic and Bicycle Safety Education Program. The event will also include 4-H contests and exhibits. 4-H arts/crafts, photos, posters and pea Plants will be on exhibit as well as a variety of farm animals. Food will be available for purchase on site throughout the day. This event is free and open to the public.

Arts & Craft Show & Bake Sale

March 9: The 19th Annual Arts & Crafts Show and Bake Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the St. Anastasia Catholic Church Community Center, 5205 A1A South. More than 70 artisans will offer fine art, pottery, woodcraft, hand made jewelry, woven baskets, crocheted and knitted articles and much more. A large variety of homemade baked goods will be available for purchase in addition to refreshments including coffee, pastries, soups, hot dogs and cold beverages. Proceeds from the event will provide support for the Missionaries of the Poor efforts in Haiti and East Africa. Outside vendor spots are still available. For information, call Jan at 904-794-9031. Free admission and parking.

Menorcan Heritage Celebration

March 9: The 236th anniversary of the arrival of the Menorcans in St. Augustine will be celebrated by the Menorcan Cultural Society from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Llambria House, 31 Saint Francis St. The menu includes Menorcan clam chowder, pilau of all kinds (a rice dish), and baked goods served from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event also will include mullet nets by Mike Usina, dancing by Sally Walton and friends, Menorcan T-shirts and books, datil pepper sauces and jellies, historic Menorcan family photos, and storytelling by Herb Greenleaf and Ann Masters. The event is free and all are welcome.

Celtic Music & Heritage Festival and St. Patrick’s Day Parade

March 9-10: Floats, marching bands, pipes and drums, horse drawn carriages and military units — the third annual St. Augustine St. Patrick’s Day parade will begin at 10 a.m. March 10 at Francis Field, 29 W. Castillo Drive. The Celtic Music & Heritage Festival is a two-day event at Francis Field will feature traditional Irish music, contemporary Celtic rock, Scottish pipes and drums and Highland Games’ athletes. This festival honors St. Augustine’s Celtic history and heritage dating back to its founding in 1565. For details or to register a unit in the parade, go to www.celticstaugustine.com.

The Dixie Pottery Studio Show

March 9: Students and potters from The Dixie Pottery Studio will exhibit their works from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1333 Old Dixie Highway. The event will feature fine clay works at reasonable prices. A portion of the proceeds will go to creating a fund to support emerging potters that are strapped for cash. Free admission and parking. Call Patricia and Doug Brown at 904-829-2758 or email Studiopots@aol.com.

St. Ambrose Spring Fair

March 17: The annual St. Ambrose Catholic Church Fair is planned from noon to 4 p.m. March 17 at the church, 6070 Church Road, Elkton. Follow the signs from State Roads 207 and 13. Pork pilau dinners, Minorcan clam chowder, ham dinners and more will be featured, including live entertainment throughout the afternoon by the Red River Band. Other features include games for kids, a garage sale, hay rides, an antique car show, a bake sale, silent auction and country store. Tours of the church will be offered.

Paseo Pastel — St. Augustine Chalk Walk

March 22-24: The St. Augustine Regional Council (StAR Council) has created a first time event to support the city’s 450th commemoration: The first Paseo Pastel - St. Augustine Chalk Walk is scheduled for March 22-24. The Tourist Development Council grants panel for bed tax monies allocated a major grant to support marketing for the St. Augustine Chalk Walk to communities outside St. Johns County. Chalk Festivals traditionally provide revenue to the local economy, fill up hotel rooms, build community and become creative local and regional events. Free to the public. For artist registration, go to www.staugustinechalkwalk.com.

4th Annual Artbreakers Music & Art Festival

March 23: The 4th Annual Artbreakers Music & Art Festival will feature musician Derek St. Holmes, the original lead vocalist from the Ted Nugent Band. Holmes will perform as the headline act. The event includes a silent auction, cancer support services, an information tent, a contest and prize for the person in the best ’70s attire and the concert. Holmes will perform many of the Nugent hits, blues and rock classics, and a few original songs in his 90-minute show. Doors open at 5:30, with music starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Fountain of Youth, 11 Magnolia Ave. Early bird tickets are $10, available online at www.artbreakers.com.

Ponte Vedra Beach Home and Art Tour

March 23: See five homes located in Ponte Vedra Beach and experience how each homeowner incorporated art and color into the design and furnishings of their home. The interior designers and artists will be available at each home to answer your questions about their inspirations and work. This self-driving tour enables participants to start and finish at any home on the tour according to your schedule. The home tour ticket also will give guests admission to tour Fantasy Farm, a haven for exotic animals and habitat for endangered species. Tickets are $30, with discounts for groups of 10 available. To purchase your tickets online. A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach. For reservations, call Toni at 904-280-0614 , ext. 205., or go to www.ccpvb.org.